TechnoServe - Practice Lead - Agriculture Value Chain Program

We are seeking a Practice Lead / Senior Practice Lead to manage a portfolio of existing Agriculture value chain programs and support our new program development efforts in India.

This is a senior position within TechnoServe India, with the incumbent responsible for providing leadership support and guidance to existing programs.

At the same time, he/she is also expected to lead efforts in developing the practice area further, incorporate best practices in program execution and provide mentorship support to program managers.

He / She will be responsible for managing and growing the project/s and its deliverables that will include but not be limited to program management, stakeholder engagement, business development, team management, participating in design/strategy.

Role Description:

- Program Management: Managing large-scale development programs within India as well as those that have an international interface.

Ensuring timeliness and quality of deliverables for a portfolio of projects and providing leadership support to the project teams reporting to this position. Builds reputation of the program through sharing of evidence-based impact and participation in key stakeholder events

- Business Development: Actively seek out opportunities for new programs or program expansion in the areas of agriculture systems, entrepreneurship, livelihoods and employability contributing towards long term growth. In collaboration with the Program Development team develop an opportunity pipeline and nurture relationships to capture new funding.

Accountable for donor engagement including business development, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement. Build upon TechnoServe's expertise of delivering value, and grow our portfolio of programs. Cultivating and supporting relationships with domestic and international donors and partners.

- Monitoring & Evaluation: Coordinate with M&E team for the timely preparation and submission of good quality monitoring and evaluation reports, and learning systems for the projects along with Program status reports, outcome reports and success case stories, conducting diligence and gap analysis and supporting program/s for emerging opportunities

- Value Chain Development: Providing leadership in the implementation of value chain development approaches/models; business plan development; market analysis; cost benefit analysis and facilitating preparation of detailed implementation report (DIR)

Assist project implementation team/s on Development of Commodity Value Chain and market linkage for various products/ commodities in the Agriculture and allied activities, scale-up, capacity-building, production techniques and value chain development (both forward & backward linkages)

- Institution Building: Oversee internal strategic initiatives that help contribute towards continuous evolution as an institution, Build and strengthen internal systems contributing towards efficient functioning of the organization, contribute to team performance and management of the program staff, provide leadership and motivation and develop a culture of constant learning and improvement. Ensure strict compliance with TNS's objectives, strategies, policies, procedures and best practices, as well as those of the donors

Required Skills & Experience:

- Master's Degree or Post Graduation in Business or International Development / Agribusiness Management

- 16-20 years of relevant experience with experience of managing end-to-end project management on large scale agriculture programs funded by bi-lateral/multi-lateral organizations such as World Bank, ADB, DFID, GIZ, USAID etc.

- Preference for prior experience as a team leader on large multi-stake-holder engagement programs

- Experience of having led verticals/practice areas, stakeholder management, program strategy, knowledge management, project monitoring, budgeting, staff management and New Business Development within an organization

- Strong client engagement skills and working with senior leadership, the ability to influence decision making for high impact

- Humility, willingness to listen and learn

- Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills

- Flexibility to travel extensively